A Collaboration Meeting Reaching from Campus to City: Istanbul Gelisim University and Bakırköy Municipality

The social responsibility, education, and public awareness-focused work carried out between Istanbul Gelisim University and Bakırköy Municipality was addressed at a special event. Organized by the Career and Alumni Commission of Istanbul Gelisim University’s School of Health Services and the Digital Health Systems Technician Program, the event examined the contribution of university-municipality cooperation to young people's role in community projects. Prior to the program, Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu paid a visit to IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin at his office. The meeting included assessments on the contribution of university–municipality cooperation to social development, the importance of young people taking an active role in social projects, and the pursuit of sustainable initiatives between local authorities and academic institutions.

The event was attended by Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu, IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin, IGU Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli, IGU Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Mustafa Nizamlıoğlu, School of Health Services Vice Director Asst. Prof. Nurcihan Tan Erkoç, academics, vice mayors, and students.

Projects Realized through University, Municipality Collaboration Shared

The program opened with a video presentation prepared by students. The video showcased the social responsibility, education, and awareness initiatives carried out in collaboration with Bakırköy Municipality and Istanbul Gelisim University.

The positive impact on society of projects conducted across numerous fields, including health, environmental awareness, digital media literacy, financial literacy, barrier-free living, women's health, and animal rights, was highlighted.

The program also addressed the visit to the Bakırköy Municipality Street Animals Shelter Center, made together with Patili Yaşam Club students on May 7. The event drew attention to students' active role in social responsibility initiatives and emphasized the importance of young people being more involved in community projects.

In her remarks, Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu stated that the doors of the municipality are always open to Istanbul Gelisim University students, underscoring that they value young people taking an active part in local government projects. Ovalıoğlu also noted that university–municipality collaborations would continue to grow.

IGU Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin noted that universities are not merely institutions that produce academic knowledge, but also centers of projects that touch society, and stated that the joint work carried out with Bakırköy Municipality makes an important contribution to students' development.

Program Concluded with Plaque and Special Painting Presentation

Throughout the event, student questions were answered and young people's views on local government and social projects were heard. At the close of the program, plaques and flowers were presented by IGU Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli.

A special painting prepared by Assoc. Prof. Nuri Sezer was also presented by the artist himself to Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu.